|
|
Special Consideration for diverse population
Sexual assault, rape
and dating violence happen to women, men, and
children of all ages, races, classes,
sexual/gender orientations, religions and
educational levels. While all survivors of sexual
and relationship violence experience a similar
range of reactions (see Common Reactions to Sexual
Violations and Common Reactions to Relationship
Violence for more information), male survivors,
survivors of color, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgendered survivors are also likely struggling
with the additional burdens of stereotypes,
racism, homophobia and other oppressions, often
leaving them feeling even more isolated, confused,
ashamed, frightened, and less likely to seek
support.
Supporting Male
Survivors:
-
5-10% of reported
rapes involve male victims. Most of these
victims are raped by other men who identify as
heterosexual. Male victims tend to be in their
late teens to late 20's at the time of the
assault. African-American men and gay men are
over-represented among male victims.
-
Be conscious of the
stigma associated with the myth that "males are
not victims" and "men should put up a fight."
-
With male victims
there is often scrutiny, both by others and the
victim himself, of his sexual orientation. In
particular, there is a question about whether
being assaulted by another man makes someone gay
(it does not – both gay and heterosexual men can
be assaulted by another male). This goes back
to the reality that rape is about power and
control, not sex and sexuality.
Supporting Survivors of Color
-
Know your community resources. Here on campus
we have the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black
Culture (684-3814) and the Multicultural
Center (684-6756). Staff at DCRC, CAPS and
SASS are trained to work with survivors of
color. Assess your own values, beliefs and
biases. There are other support resources if
you feel like your “stuff” is affecting your
ability to be an effective helper.
-
One of the common myths related to sexual and
relationship violence is that men of color,
particularly black men, are more likely to be
perpetrators, and that they are more likely to
victimize white women. This is untrue.
Perpetrators of sexual and relationship
violence can be found in any racial or ethnic
group. And most sexual assaults and rapes
occur between two people of the same race or
ethnic background.
-
Survivors of color may feel the added pressure
of choosing between allegience to their
race/ethnicity or their gender. Given the
long history of racism, which has fostered the
myths and stereotypes described aboce, and
the often unjust ways that people of color
have been treated in the justice system, many
survivors of color are reluctant to report a
man of color to either the university or the
police for fear of being perceived as a "race
traitor."
-
Oftentimes communities of color are small and
the victim may be afraid of what might be
shared through the grapevine, or may fear
losing the support of this community.
Supporting
Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Queer
LGBTQ Survivors
-
Know your
community resources. Here on campus we have
the Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender Life (684-6607). Staff at DCRC,
CAPS and SASS are trained to work with LGBTQ
survivors. Assess your own values, beliefs
and biases. There are other support resources
if you feel like your “stuff” is affecting
your ability to be an effective helper.
-
Remember that the
LGBTQ community is invisible and people may
fear greater isolation as a result of not
having many “safe” places to hang out.
-
An LGBTQ victim
may not label the violence for fear of being
“outed” or not believed.
-
In the case of
same sex dating violence and abuse there is
often a fear of being “outed” by the partner.
-
If a LGBTQ victim
is not “out” to their family, then finding
family support may be difficult or impossible.
-
Oftentimes the
LGBTQ communities are small and the victim may
be afraid of what might be shared through the
grapevine.
-
If a person is
more “closeted” they may choose to stay with
an abusive partner longer because they do not
have other friends for support.
-
If a victim
trusts you with revealing their sexual
identity to you, please keep that
confidential. Outing someone is not ok.
-
Remember to use
the word “partner” to be inclusive, unless the
victim uses a different word.
|
|
|
Resources
Ethical
Definitions of Sexual Assault & Rape
Understanding
Survivors' Experiences
Healing: Taking
Care of Yourself
What Do I Say to Someone Who Has Experienced
Violence?
Special considerations for diverse population
Risk
Reduction
&
Prevention
Organizational
Resources
for Survivors
Recommended Readings
Download the
Entire Resource Page
Terms of Use
Acknowledgement
|
|
